SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA / A news summary

Suspect Sought in Attacks on 4 Women

SANTA ANA — A knife-wielding rapist has attacked at least four women over the last several months, police said.

All the attacks have happened in the early morning as the women walked alone in gated apartment complexes along the 17th Street corridor between the Santa Ana River and the Santa Ana Freeway, said Sgt. Raul Luna, Santa Ana Police Department spokesman.

"He lies in wait, and he will conceal himself somewhere in the parking or courtyard areas," Luna said. "The attacks occur inside, so we speculate that he's jumping the fence or walking in behind a car."

After approaching the victims, all of whom have been in their 20s or early 30s, the man threatens them with a knife and then forces them into a dark, secluded area where he attacks them and then disappears into the complex.

During the first two attacks, on July 14 and Aug. 18--both Fridays--the rapist had a mustache, investigators said, but he was clean-shaven during the third and fourth attacks, both of which happened on Sept. 10, a Sunday.

The rapist is described as Latino, about 25 years old, 5-foot-7, 150 pounds, with a light complexion, distinctive eyes and slicked-back, black hair.

Investigators ask that anyone with information about the man or the attacks contact the Santa Ana Police Department at (714) 245-8379.